When we bought our house in Hawaii, the former sellers rented back from us for 18 months. So, I got to know them fairly well. They also moved temporarily across the street one December just so I could stay in our house. Super nice people from Canada. The only people I know who are missionaries, reliant on donations and benefactors. This couple work together at University of Nations in Kona, a religious organization that presents specific curriculum to international students.
And the wife grows orchids. She mentioned in passing one day that the best way to grow orchids in Hawaii is to take that potted plant you bought at Safeway or Wal-Mart and, after blooms die, throw it into a tree. Not sure what she meant, I placed a few under our mango tree, but they got overwatered and died. However, the orchid I stuck in our hisbiscus "fired off" last week. Received gorgeous photos from our gardener.
Above is a photograph of the orchid as it attached itself to our hibiscus tree. Three weeks ago, there were no signs of budding other than long green stems forming. Then yesterday, voila! A splash of purple and pink and white like nature ferociously spray-painted. You can see those photos and read more in my personal blog today at this link: OMG Our Hawaii Orchids Bloomed in Kona.
